FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

TEACHER’S AIDE PLEADS TO MOLESTING STUDENT WITH CEREBRAL PALSY

San Antonio, Texas: January 13, 2009

District Attorney Susan D. Reed announced today that Bret Jernigan, 26, a teacher’s aide at Brackenridge High School pled to Indecency with a Child by Contact before 399th District Court Judge Juanita Vazquez-Gardner.

The State alleged that Jernigan engaged in the criminal conduct during working hours while employed at Brackenridge High School as an Educational Aide, specifically assigned to assist children with disabilities. The 15 year old male complainant, who has cerebral palsy, was dependent on Jernigan’s assistance as a care provider.

Under the terms of the plea agreement 399th District Court Judge Vazquez-Gardner will rule on whether Jernigan will be granted community supervision or be confined in state prison for a term of 10 years. As part of the plea, he will have to register as a sex offender for life and is required to surrender his Texas Educator Certificate.

Indecency with a Child by Contact is a second-degree felony offense, and carries a punishment range of two to twenty years in prison and a fine of up to $10,000. A sentencing hearing is set for February 17, 2009.

For more information, please contact the Chief of the White Collar Crime Division, Adriana Biggs at (210) 335-2404.